After a long discussion with General Ajani, Keir had been feeling quite happy with the day. It had been productive, a little terrifying at the thought of facing hundreds of thousands of demons, but there was reason to hope they'd survive and even push back the monsters in the coming year. And now his good mood was rapidly being ruined by stupidity, arrogance, and shortsightedness.
“High Commander Alder is too busy to see you today,” the well dressed aide said, staring down his nose at Keir. The man hadn't even provided his name when asked, to show his disdain.
“Then we can set up a time to meet tomorrow,” Keir said, doing his best to keep his pleasant and congenial mask in place.
That wasn't the easiest thing to do. The two guards on either side of the door were openly leering at him. In his previous body, Keir had had many women coyly eye him, and a few had openly admired him either for his muscular body or the power he held. In his new female body, the attention was far less appealing. He could sense his bodyguards' increasing anger as the guards eyes mentally undressed him.
“That is not possible,” the man said.
“Why?” he asked, wishing not for the first time, or even the hundredth time that his voice was deeper.
“There is nothing for you to discuss with the High Commander. If you have any suggestions you may tell General Ajani, if he has time. He can bring it to the High Commander's attention,” the man said, speaking slowly as if to a small and rather slow child.
“Is Alder so incompetent, or simply so cowardly, he will avoid talking to someone who spent over thirty years ruling an empire and is offering to assist him as an advisor?”
“Many things have changed from your time, Keira. And the High Commander does not require help from a fallen, murderous despot that is now a tool for the Eldritch Council.”
Steel hissed on leather. Without looking he knew his Lleial bodyguards had drawn their swords. There was also a metallic click, letting him know at least one of them had decided to pull out their pistol and was making a point that they were ready to start shooting over the insult.
The two guards raised their rifles, sweat beading up on their brows, and the aide turned a pasty white.
Holding up his hand, but not looking around, Keir said, “Put those away. We are allies, even if some people don't realize it.”
Much to his relief, his bodyguards obeyed him. The two guards lowered their rifles as well, one of them let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
Smiling thinly at the aide, Keir raised his head to look the man in the eye. “The Lleial follow me. I have just come from a long and fruitful meeting with General Ajani where we discussed our plans. It would be best if High Commander Alder and I can at least come to a working arrangement. We are allies after all, facing a far stronger enemy. We can either survive together or die from petty squabbling.”
“Let her in, Justin. I have a few minutes free now,” High Commander Alder said.
The aide stepped aside, half bowing to an elderly woman, that Keir thought was a high priestess of the Sun and Moon.
Keir moved to let her past as well. Smiling, he said, “Elder Sister, I'm afraid we haven't been properly introduced. I'd appreciate it if you could spare me a few minutes when you have the time, to discuss things.”
She nodded. “Of course Mage Keira. I'm not sure when I can fit you in, but I'll make sure to find the time very soon. And I am Sister Tyra, former High Priestess of Koder.”
“Thank you, Elder Sister Tyra.”
The high priestess carried on her way, and Keir motioned to his guards to stay in the hallway. Commander Alder led him into the office without a word, while the aide took away a bottle of wine and two goblets.
“What do you need?” Alder asked, before Keir had even taken a seat.
“I've been talking to the Lleial Elders. They told me that there have been some problems with sharing supplies, and sorting them out has on occasion been difficult,” Keir explained. “Now that we have time to plan, I think we should look at ways we can ease relations between the Lleial and your people.”
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“I've made sure they get their fair share of food, medicine and clothing. The keep wasn't set up to deal with so many civilians, no one is getting enough of anything.”
“And you've done an admirable job with what you've had. I understand what it takes to prioritize and make hard decisions in times of need,” He said, stroking the old man's ego. “Now however, General Ajani and I have plans to ensure we have enough food and supplies to last the winter and into the spring. To help keep the peace, having a Lleial liaison that is able to bring any problems quickly to your attention, would be very helpful.”
Alder scowled. “I am always willing to hear from the Lleial elders, they just have to ask for a meeting.”
“A meeting which can take several days to organize.”
“We are in desperate times, Keira, priorities must be made.”
“It's my understanding that the Lleial make up most of your cavalry and scouts. They also form a large minority of your standing army. Do you realize the only reason they have helped is because they were waiting for me to be resurrected?”
High Commander Alder nodded once, his expression grim.
Keir smiled. It was time to show he wasn't powerless. “Now that I am once again among the living, they have no reason to stay here. We can leave within a day, and you'll be facing the demons by yourself.”
“You have your geas, you have to help us,” the old man said.
“No, I don't. I cannot hurt a human, or order my dead to hurt someone. I must also obey a Blue mage or higher. If the Lleial decide to leave, I can go with them. If Mage Von tries to stop me, I can simply put wax into my ears and place a bag over my head. Or I can create a small army of the dead to block your soldiers and Mage Von, while screaming as loud as they can to drown out any commands as we leave. Or the Lleial can put me in a stupor until we're well away from anyone who can control me. Do you truly think you can survive what's coming without the Lleial soldiers and my magic?”
Alder glared at him, now realizing just how weak his hand was. “I assume you'll be the liaison for the Lleial?”
“Oh no, I don't have time for that. The Lleial will obey me, but trying to learn everything they need, understanding the nuances between their groups, and worrying about the details of their daily lives is better left to their leaders. Send a message to their elders saying that you would like a liaison and they'll provide one. I'm simply here to give everything a push, and help smooth things over when possible.”
“I'll think about your proposal, and if I agree to it I'll send a message. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?”
Knowing he'd made his point and Alder would send the message in a day or two, just long enough to make it seem like it was his decision, Keir decided it was best to leave. The old man had had his ego hurt enough, anything else would be rubbing salt into the wound, and Keir would prefer to eventually win the man over.
“That's everything for today. I understand how busy being in command can be, and I appreciate the time you have given me already. I hope you have a pleasant day High Commander,” he said.
Alder watched unhappily as Keir got up and left.
Back in the hallway Keir thought about what to do next. He would like to talk to Von, who seemed to be in charge of the mages, but he still didn't know where the mage could be. The tent for his school should be up by now, and hopefully General Ajani had sent some old benches and tables from the mess already. He could go check to make sure everything was in place, but that would mean a long walk across the camp when he could send one of his maids, guards or a ghost to look over it for him.
The thought of sending a ghost decided him. Going outside he found a comfortable place to sit away from the work groups and soldiers. Opening himself to the magic, he wove a large spell together, it was similar to how he created ghosts, but took more energy and was more intricate.
Taking his time, not wanting to push himself, he wove the magic with his mind. Slowly a hundred translucent figures appeared in the air. Their faces were pale and indistinct, they wore black robes that moved in an imaginary wind, skin was stretched taut over long, skeletal hands. Looking at them set off a sense of foreboding.
Studying his banshees, Keir was pleased with his work. Mentally he commanded them to spread out in groups of five around the area and start looking for demons. If they saw a small or wounded one, they were to kill it. If it was a group, or a large demon they were to return and inform him or an officer.
They split apart, each group heading in a different direction.
He saw that most of the work had stopped and he had gotten an audience. Smiling for the crowd, he wove another spell. He had to make guards for the living scouts that would be sent out in the morning, he may as well do it now.
These were simple ghosts, only two hundred of them. Glancing at the Lleial who stood at his side, he dressed the ghosts in a similar manner, dark brown leather pants, embroidered cotton shirts, carrying pistols and sword. They were each seated on a pitch black horse, with a skull and shield in brilliant white on its flank, the former symbol of his Undying Army.
He took the time to give the ghosts simple personalities, loyal soldiers who would accomplish their mission and use a bit of initiative. When the spell was finished, they raised their right fist to the heart. They were utterly silent.
“Soldiers,” Keir said, pitching his voice so that all could hear him. “Tomorrow you will join a group of scouts. Your mission will be to find any refugees that are hidden in the forests and mountains, and help them safely return here. You are not expected to fight except as a last resort. But if it comes to a choice of allowing a scout or refugee to die or be injured or sacrificing yourself to slay a demon, you know your duty, protect the living.”
The ghostly horses each raised a leg, and brought them down as one. Their hooves sparked against the stony ground, the heavy thud echoed through the air. At the same moment each ghost shouted, “PROTECT THE LIVING!”